Our Pastor

Bishop Gregory D. Bryant

Born to Fountain Jones and Ella Bryant; his paternal grandmother Norma Jones raised him from 3 weeks old.  Norma was a godly woman who raised him in the church and taught him to love God and his fellow humankind.  Mrs. Jones made sure that Bishop Bryant maintained relationships, love, and respect for his biological parents throughout his upbringing.  His father and grandmother since passed, but his mother Mrs. Ella Williams and stepfather Arthur (Pops) Williams, has remained and continues to be stable support in his life through all these years.  Upon graduation from High School, Bishop Bryant would enlist into the United States Air Force, a move that would blossom into a 25-year military career.   While assigned to a military installation in Korea in May 1983, Bishop Bryant attended a revival service and gave his life to Christ.  In June of that same year, he received the Baptism in the Holy Ghost and was on fire for the Lord.

The Lord began to deal with him concerning his childhood sweetheart Theresa Hill, and he contacted her and began to witness to her.  Upon returning to the United States he continued to witness to her, and she gave her life to Christ.  Bishop Bryant married his childhood sweetheart Theresa in January 1985; from this union, he is the proud father of Hope, Grace, Gregory II, and Loren.  After experiencing growth and serving in various capacities in ministry, Bishop Bryant acknowledged the calling of God to preach the Gospel in January 1986.  He entered training and tutelage under Pastor Johnny Taylor and Assistant Pastor, Elder Johnnie Smith.  As his knowledge of the Word increased, God gave him a strong desire to win souls to the kingdom.  Each of his church involvements gave him an opportunity, not only to broaden his knowledge of the Word of God but to practically apply it.  Prior to the departure of Pastor Taylor, he was installed as Pastor of New Faith Deliverance Temple.  In June 1989, Bishop J. R. Willis and Elder Taylor returned to England and convened an ordination board.  Upon passing the board, he was ordained as an Elder in the Churches of God in Christ (COGIC).

Upon returning to the United States Bishop Bryant succeeded Bishop B. T. McDaniels as pastor of Bethany Temple and served in that capacity from October 1992 to March 2001.  Following the leading of the Lord, in March of 2001, Bishop Bryant launched out and started Hope and Refuge Ministries, Inc., where he now serves as Senior Pastor.

In October 2011, God led him to bring the ministry under the umbrella of United Holiness Assemblies International (UHAI), under the leadership of Apostle Johnnie Smith Jr.

Bishop Bryant has traveled the United States operating under the five-fold ministry and is anointed of God to teach and deliver the word in a practical way.  His greatest joy is preaching the gospel that leads to salvation, deliverance, financial breakthrough and healing.

Bishop Bryant is a visionary and has launched ministries such as: Marriage Enrichment, Youth-in-Action Inc., Single and Saved, Men of Valor, and Young Woman’s Christian Council.  Bishop Bryant holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ministry Studies from Grace University, Omaha NE, and wholeheartedly subscribes to the study, rightly dividing and application of God’s Word (2 Tim. 2:15).  Bishop Bryant has persevered through trial and error, storm and rain; and holds to “Hope thou in God” (Ps. 42:5b).